US20100278159A1 - Method and system for endpoint based architecture for voip access points - Google Patents
Method and system for endpoint based architecture for voip access points Download PDFInfo
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- US20100278159A1 US20100278159A1 US12/433,937 US43393709A US2010278159A1 US 20100278159 A1 US20100278159 A1 US 20100278159A1 US 43393709 A US43393709 A US 43393709A US 2010278159 A1 US2010278159 A1 US 2010278159A1
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
- H04L65/10—Architectures or entities
- H04L65/102—Gateways
- H04L65/1023—Media gateways
- H04L65/103—Media gateways in the network
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M7/00—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres
- H04M7/006—Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer
- H04M7/0066—Details of access arrangements to the networks
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
- H04W88/18—Service support devices; Network management devices
- H04W88/181—Transcoding devices; Rate adaptation devices
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
- H04W88/02—Terminal devices
- H04W88/06—Terminal devices adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
- H04W88/16—Gateway arrangements
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W92/00—Interfaces specially adapted for wireless communication networks
- H04W92/02—Inter-networking arrangements
Definitions
- Certain embodiments of the invention relate to communications. More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for endpoint based architecture for VoIP access points.
- WPAN Wireless Personal Area Networks
- WPAN systems generally replace cumbersome cabling and/or wiring used to connect peripheral devices and/or mobile terminals by providing short distance wireless links that allow connectivity within very narrow spatial limits (typically, a 10-meter range).
- WPAN may be based on standardized technologies, for example Class 2 Bluetooth (BT) technology. While WPAN may be very beneficial for certain applications, other applications may require larger service areas and/or capabilities.
- BT Class 2 Bluetooth
- Wireless Local Area Networks may operate within a 100-meter range, for example.
- WLAN provide connectivity to devices that are located within a slightly larger geographical area, such as the area covered by a building or a campus, for example.
- WLAN systems are generally based on specific standards, for example IEEE 802.11 standard specifications, and typically operate within a 100-meter range, and are generally utilized to supplement the communication capacity provided by traditional wired Local Area Networks (LANs) installed in the same geographic area as the WLAN system.
- LANs Local Area Networks
- cellular phones have become an almost absolute necessity in today's world.
- Many modern cellular technologies including such technologies as GSM/GPRS/EDGE, UMTS, and CDMA2000, incorporate many features and capabilities.
- Most of today's cellular services include, in addition to voice calls, such features as text messaging, video streaming, and/or web browsing.
- a system, and/or method is provided for endpoint based architecture for VoIP access points, substantially as shown in, and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.
- FIG. 1A is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary system comprising a voice-over-IP (VoIP) access point, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- VoIP voice-over-IP
- FIG. 1B is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary communication system that enables providing VoIP access point servicing, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 2A is a diagram that illustrates grouping of processing operations performed during VoIP, which may be utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 2B is a diagram that illustrates exemplary processing steps during VoIP transmit and receive operations, which may be utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 3A is a diagram that illustrates exemplary networking and telephony processing performed in a VoIP access point, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 3B is a diagram that illustrates exemplary audio processing operations performed in an audio endpoint device during servicing operations by a VoIP access point, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 3C is a diagram that illustrates exemplary VoIP access point support during processing in cellular device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 4 is a flow chart that illustrates VoIP access convergence in a mobile device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- an access point may be operable to provide voice-over-IP (VoIP) service to a plurality of wireless audio endpoint devices.
- VoIP voice-over-IP
- the access point may be operable, in the downlink direction, to extract VoIP audio data received via IP packets, and to communicate the extracted audio data as non-VoIP formatted data to the wireless audio endpoint devices.
- Communications between the access point and the wireless audio endpoint devices may be performed via one or more wireless interfaces.
- Exemplary wireless interfaces may comprise Bluetooth, ZigBee, wireless local area network (WLAN), and/or Worldwide Inter-operability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) interfaces.
- the access point may be operable to receive non-VoIP formatted audio data from the wireless audio endpoint devices, and may pack the received data into IP packets for VoIP communication.
- the access point may also be operable to perform pulse-code modulation (PCM) based encoding/decoding operations during VoIP servicing operations by the access point.
- PCM pulse-code modulation
- the wireless audio endpoint devices may perform audio processing during VoIP communications via the access point, comprising audio equalization, dynamic audio processing, automatic gain control (AGC) processing, Acoustic Echo Canceler (AEC) processing, and/or noise reduction.
- AEC automatic gain control
- AEC Acoustic Echo Canceler
- One or more intermediary communication devices may be utilized to route messages between the access point and at least some of the wireless audio endpoint devices.
- a cellular device may be operable to route messages between the access point and the wireless audio endpoint devices, using Bluetooth and/or WLAN interfaces between the cellular device and the access point, and between the cellular device and the serviced wireless audio endpoint devices.
- FIG. 1A is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary system comprising a voice-over-IP (VoIP) access point, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- VoIP voice-over-IP
- FIG. 1 there is shown an access point 102 , a wireless network 104 , a land-based telephony network 106 , a backbone network 110 , a cellular network 112 , a cellular transceiver 114 , a cellular device 116 , and an audio endpoint device 118 .
- VoIP voice-over-IP
- the wireless network 104 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may enable implementing functional blocks corresponding to one or more wireless technologies.
- Exemplary wireless technologies may comprise WLAN (IEEE 802.11) and/or WiMAX (IEEE 802.16) architectures.
- Access to the wireless network 104 may be provided via a plurality of the access point 102 .
- the access point 102 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may enable providing wireless access, via the wireless network 104 , to one or more suitably capable wireless devices, for example the audio endpoint device 118 , via a WiFi and/or Bluetooth link for example.
- the land-based telephony network 106 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be operable to provide wire-line based connectivity between local, and/or remote entities.
- the land-based telephony network 106 may comprise a standard telephony network (POTS) that may enable telephony based connectivity between different nodes.
- POTS standard telephony network
- the backbone network 110 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be operable to provide overall system connectivity among local, and/or remote sub-networks.
- the backbone network 110 may provide, for example, overall connectivity that enables peer-to-peer internet protocol (IP) based communications.
- IP internet protocol
- the backbone network 110 may be operable to interact with, and connect different wired, and/or wireless technologies.
- the backbone network 110 may provide IP backbone connectivity and/or routing between different nodes linking wired, and/or wireless networks comprising WLAN networks, WiMAX networks, cellular networks, wire
- the cellular network 112 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may provide and/or support communication based on one or more cellular technologies.
- Exemplary cellular technologies may comprise CDMA, WCDMA, CDMA2000, HSDPA, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, and/or UMTS.
- Access to the cellular network 112 may be provided via a plurality of the cellular transceiver 114 .
- the cellular transceiver 114 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be utilized to enable transmission, and/or reception of cellular based communications between the cellular network 112 and cellular capable devices, for example the cellular device 116 , via the cellular link 116 .
- the cellular transceiver 114 may correspond to cellular towers, and/or base stations within a cellular communication system.
- the cellular device 116 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may enable cellular communications.
- the cellular device 116 may be operable to communicate with the cellular transceiver 114 , for example, based on one or more cellular interface to provide network access via the cellular network 112 and/or the backbone network 110 .
- the cellular device 116 may be operable to communicate with devices which may be located within proximity of the cellular device 116 via one or more supported wireless interfaces.
- the cellular device 116 may be operable to utilize WLAN and/or WPAN interfaces to communicate with the access point 102 and/or the audio endpoint device 118 .
- the audio endpoint device 118 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may enable audio communication, wherein audio streams may be captured and/or played, processed, and communicated to a peer during voice calls.
- the audio endpoint device 118 may correspond to a traditional phone and/or a mobile device that provide voice calling functionality.
- the audio endpoint device 118 may be operable to provide voice-over-lP (VoIP) services wherein audio data may be communicated via IP based networks.
- VoIP voice-over-lP
- the audio endpoint device 118 may support one or more wireless protocols to enable communication with other devices that may be located near the audio endpoint device 118 .
- the audio endpoint device 118 may support, for example, WLAN and/or WPAN interfaces to enable communication with the access point 102 and/or the cellular device 116 .
- Exemplary WLAN interface may comprise 802.11 based interfaces, including, for example, WiFi links.
- WPAN interfaces may be based on standardized technologies that enable short range inter-device communications.
- Exemplary WPAN standards may comprise Bluetooth, ZigBee, and/or Ultra-Wideband (UWB).
- the access point 102 may be operable to provide access to the wireless network 104 , for a plurality of wireless devices which may require network connectivity to local and/or remote peers.
- the access point 102 may be operable to, for example, support wireless links, such as WLAN and/or WiMax links.
- the cellular device 116 may be operable to access the cellular network 112 at, for example, the cellular transceiver 114 , via cellular links.
- the audio endpoint device 118 may be operable to enable communication of audio and/or multimedia communications.
- the audio endpoint device 118 may be used, for example, to support voice calls or to transfer multimedia information between a plurality of callers.
- the voice call routing may be provided, for example, via the land-based telephony network 106 .
- the audio endpoint device 118 may also be operable to support VoIP communication. Data communications, during VoIP sessions via the audio endpoint device 118 may be performed via direct connections, through the land-based telephony network 106 for example.
- the audio endpoint device 118 may also obtain network connectivity, to facilitate VoIP operations, indirectly via secondary devices.
- the audio endpoint device 118 may be operable to communicate with the access point 102 to obtain network connectivity via the wireless network 104 , and/or to enable the access point 102 to route packets exchanged during VoIP communication via the audio endpoint device 118 .
- the audio endpoint device 118 may be operable to utilize one or more of supported wireless and/or wired interfaces during VoIP operations.
- the audio endpoint device 118 may utilize WLAN and/or WPAN links to communicate with the access point 102 .
- At least some of the processing that may need to be performed via the audio endpoint device 118 during VoIP communications may be delegated to, and/or performed by the access point 102 .
- some telephony and/or networking operations may be performed to enable establishing, utilize and/or terminate connections to enable communication of IP packets carrying the audio data or multimedia information between the peers in the VoIP call.
- the access point 102 may be used, for example, to perform these telephony and/or networking operations.
- the audio data that would otherwise be carried by the IP packets during VoIP sessions may then be communicated directly between the access point 102 and the audio endpoint device 118 using wireless links between the devices, for example WLAN and/or WPAN links.
- the access point 102 may also provide VoIP servicing to the cellular device 116 , where connections between the cellular device 116 and the cellular network 112 may not be available or desired.
- the cellular device 116 may also be utilized to provide VoIP servicing similar to what may be provided by the access point 102 .
- the cellular device 116 may also be operable to route packets transmitted and/or received by the audio endpoint device 118 via the cellular network 112 .
- Data communication between the cellular device 116 and the audio endpoint device 118 may be the performed via wireless links, which may comprise WLAN and/or WPAN links.
- the cellular device 116 may also perform some of the processing operations that would otherwise be performed during VoIP communication, substantially as described with regard to the access point 102 .
- the cellular device 116 may also be utilized to route data and/or packets between the access point 102 and the audio endpoint device 118 during VoIP servicing by the access point 102 where direct links between the access point 102 and the audio endpoint device 118 may not be available or desirable.
- FIG. 1B is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary communication system that enables providing VoIP access point servicing, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- a system 130 comprising a main processor 132 , a system memory 134 , an audio processor 136 , a wired front-end 138 , a RF front-end 140 , a plurality of antennas 142 a , . . . , 142 b , an and an application processor 144 .
- the main processor 132 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may enable processing data and/or controlling operations of the system 130 .
- the main processor 132 may be enabled to provide control signals to the various other components and/or modules within the system 130 .
- the main processor 132 may also control transfer of data between various portions of the system 130 .
- the main processor 132 may enable execution of applications programs and/or code.
- the applications, programs, and/or code may enable, for example, parsing, transcoding, or otherwise processing data.
- the applications, programs, and/or code may enable, for example, configuring or controlling operation of the system memory 134 , the audio processor 136 , the wired front-end 138 , and/or the RF front-end 140 , to enable, for example, supporting VoIP servicing operations.
- at least some of the applications may be performed by a dedicated processor, the application processor 144 .
- the system memory 134 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may enable storage and/ retrieval of data.
- the system memory 134 may be operable to enable buffering data during operation of the system 130 , and/or may be utilized to store and retrieve information and/or code that may effectuate the operation of the system 130 .
- the information and/or code may comprise configuration data and/or parameters, software, and/or firmware, but the information and/or code need not be limited in this regard.
- the audio processor 136 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces operable to perform signal processing operations to facilitate communication of voice data via one or more wired and/or wireless interfaces, which may be supported via the wired front-end 138 and/or the RF front-end 140 .
- the audio processor 136 may encode, decode, transcode, modulate, demodulate, encrypt, decrypt, scramble, descramble, and/or otherwise process signals transmitted and/or received via the system 130 .
- the audio processor 136 may be operable to adjust a modulation scheme, error coding scheme, and/or data rates of transmitted signals.
- the RF front-end 140 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be operable to perform RF transmission and/or reception, utilizing a plurality of antennas and/or frequency bands.
- the RF front-end 140 may be operable to utilize the plurality of antennas 142 a , . . . , 142 b to support RF communication corresponding to various wireless communication protocols.
- the RF front-end 140 may be operable to perform RF transmission and/or reception of signals, via the plurality of antennas 142 a , . . . , 142 b , comprising data and/or control packets during Bluetooth, WLAN, WiMAX, and/or FM communications in the system 130 .
- Each of the plurality of antennas 142 a , . . . , 142 b may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that enable transmission and/or reception of RF signals within certain bandwidths.
- one or more of the plurality of antennas 142 a , . . . , 142 b may enable RF transmission and/or reception via the 2.4 GHz, which is suitable for WiMAX, Bluetooth and/or WLAN RF transmissions and/or receptions.
- the wired front-end 138 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be operable to communicate data in adherence to one or more wired protocols supported via the system 130 .
- the wired front-end 138 may be operable to perform amplification, down-conversion, filtering, demodulation, and analog to digital conversion of received signals.
- the wired front-end 138 may also be operable to perform amplification, up-conversion, filtering, modulation, and digital to analog conversion of transmitted signals.
- the wired front-end 138 may enable communicating data, for example, T1/E1 lines, optical fibers (e.g., XPON), DSL, and/or Ethernet connections.
- the system 130 may correspond to, or be integrated in the access point 102 to enable performing various operations substantially as described with regard to FIG. 1A .
- the system 130 may enable transmitting and/or receiving data over one or more wired and/or wireless interfaces.
- the system 130 may be integrated within the access point 102 to enable supporting of wireless links that may be utilized to provide network access to the wireless network 104 and/or the land-based telephony network 106 .
- the system 130 may enable wired based communication between the access point 102 and the wireless network 104 and/or the land-based telephony network 106 via the wired front-end 138 .
- the system 130 may provide RF support, via the RF front-end 140 and the plurality of antennas 142 a , . . . , 142 b , to provide WiFi links, to enable communication between the access point 102 and the audio endpoint device 118 and/or the cellular device 116 , for example.
- the main processor 132 , the system memory 134 , and/or the audio processor 136 may be utilized to enable processing, managing, and/or buffering received and/or transmitted data.
- the main processor 132 , the system memory 134 , and/or the audio processor 136 may enable extraction of data received via a wired and/or wireless interfaces supported via the system 130 , and may then enable processing the extracted data to enable transmission via different wired and/or wireless interfaces.
- the system 130 may be enabled to perform at least some of the processing otherwise performed via endpoint devices during VoIP communication.
- VoIP communication may require performing telephony and/or networking operations to facilitate establishment of connections that enable exchange of IP packets carrying the audio data between the peers in the VoIP call.
- the main processor 132 , the system memory 134 , and/or the application processor 144 may be utilized to perform these telephony and/or networking operations.
- the main processor 132 , the application processor 144 , the system memory 134 , and/or the audio processor 136 may enable receiving audio data, from the endpoint device 118 for example, via the RF front-end 140 , and one or more of the plurality of antennas 142 a , . . . , 142 b .
- the main processor 132 , the application processor 144 , the system memory 134 , and/or the audio processor 136 may then be utilized to generate and/or process IP packets which may carry the received audio data.
- the IP packets may then be transmitted via the wired front-end 138 and/or the RF front-end 140 .
- IP packets carrying audio data may also be received in the system 130 , via the wired front-end 138 and/or the RF front-end 140 .
- the main processor 132 , the application processor 144 , the system memory 134 , and/or the audio processor 136 may then be utilized to process the received IP packets to extract audio data which may be communicated to the endpoint device 118 via the RF front-end 140 , and one or more of the plurality of antennas 142 a , . . . , 142 b.
- FIG. 2A is a diagram that illustrates grouping of processing operations performed during VoIP, which may be utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- processing groups 202 , 204 , and 206 representing various processing operations that may be performed during voice-over-IP (VoIP) based communications.
- Group 202 may comprise processing operations corresponding to networking standards, which may be utilized during generation, communication, and/or processing of network packets carrying VoIP data.
- Exemplary networking standards may comprise the Internet Protocol (IP), the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), the Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP), the RTP Control Protocol (RTCP), the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), and/or the H.323 standard, which addresses call signaling and control, multimedia transport and control, and bandwidth control for point-to-point and multi-point conferences.
- Group 202 may also comprise processing operations corresponding to voice coding standards, which may be utilized to compress and/or decompress audio data that may be written into the network packets.
- Exemplary voice compression standards may comprise G.711, G.722, G.726, and/or G.729, which utilized various pulse-code modulation based schemes to compress audio information into bit strings.
- Group 204 may comprise network performance related processing operations, including, for example, packetization, encryption/decryption, and/or determining and/or mitigating performance degradation parameters, which may include delay, low data rates, and/or jitter.
- Group 204 processing operation may enable adjustment of characteristics of communicated packets to improve performance of VoIP communication, based on predetermined criteria and/or user specified parameters.
- Group 206 may comprise audio processing operations that may be performed during capture and/or playback of audio data communicated during VoIP sessions. Exemplary operations may comprise voice activity detection (VAD), audio and/or microphone equalization, silence suppression (SS), automatic gain control (AGC) processing, acoustic echo canceller (AEC) processing, and/or noise reduction.
- VAD voice activity detection
- SS silence suppression
- AEC automatic gain control
- AEC acoustic echo canceller
- processing operations of groups 202 , 204 , and/or 206 may be performed to facilitate VoIP communication in an endpoint device.
- audio endpoint device 118 may be operable to establish VoIP sessions such that audio data may be communicated via IP packets transmitted from and/or received in the audio endpoint device 118 .
- the processing operations of group 206 may be performed, using suitable logic, hardware and/or software in the audio endpoint device 118 to enable capturing and/or playing back audio streams.
- the processing operations of group 202 may be performed to enable generating and/or processing IP packets communicated during the VoIP sessions, and to enable compressing and/or decompressing the audio streams to and/or from corresponding data that may be communicated via the IP packets.
- the processing operations of group 204 may similarly be performed to monitor, manage, and/or adjust various parameters and/or operation of the VoIP communication. For example, audio and/or network related parameters, including jitter, delay, and/or bitrates may be monitored and/or managed during the VoIP communication.
- audio and/or network related parameters including jitter, delay, and/or bitrates may be monitored and/or managed during the VoIP communication.
- At least some of the processing operations of groups 202 , 204 , and/or 206 may be delegated from an endpoint device participating in VoIP communication to device servicing the endpoint device during the VoIP communication.
- some of the processing operations may be performed in the access point 102 .
- the access point 102 may be operable, for example, to perform some of the networking and/or telephony related operations of groups 202 and/or 204 .
- the access point device 102 may also be operable to perform VoIP based voice coding standards based processing operations of group 202 . Division of processing operation between endpoint devices and access points may be predetermined.
- each of the end point 118 and/or the access 102 may be preprogrammed to perform a subset of the processing operations of groups 202 , 204 , and/or 206 .
- the endpoint device 118 and the access point 102 may negotiate division of processing operations.
- the negotiated divison of processing operations may be based on various parameters, including, for example, cost, compensation, and/or available processing resources in the access point 102 .
- the divison of processing operations may be performed prior to start of VoIP communication, when links between the endpoint device 118 and the access point 102 are being set up for example. In some instances, divison of processing operation may also be adjusted, dynamically, during active VoIP communications.
- FIG. 2B is a diagram that illustrates exemplary processing steps during VoIP transmit and receive operations, which may be utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2B , there is show a flow 210 that may show exemplary processing sequences for both audio transmit and receive paths during VoIP based communications.
- IP packets carrying VoIP audio data may be received from the IP backbone 210 and processed to enable local playback of corresponding audio streams.
- the IP backbone 270 may comprise a plurality of networks and/or systems that may provide overall routing of IP packets between peers during IP based communication.
- the IP backbone 270 may correspond to one or more of the wireless network 104 , the land-based telephony network 106 , and/or the backbone network 110 , substantially as described with regard to FIG. 1A .
- IP interfacing 212 may enable performing IP based processing by parsing, for example, IP headers in the received IP packets.
- Networking Rx processing 214 may then enable performing additional networking and/or telephony related operations on the received packets.
- Networking Rx processing 214 may correspond to various processing operations from groups 202 and 204 , substantially as described with regard to FIG. 2A , and may comprise, for example, UDP/RTP interfacing 216 , de-packetization 218 , adaptive jitter buffering 220 , and/or packet loss concealment 222 .
- UDP/RTP interfacing 216 may enable performing UDP and/or RTP based processing.
- the UDP and RTP processing correspond to various transport related operations.
- the UDP protocol may provide general transmission and/or reception of packets with minimal guarantees of reliability, ordering, and data integrity, and is used irrespective of the type data carried.
- the RTP protocol may provide additional packet transport operations for communicating packetized audio and/or video data over the Internet.
- De-packetization 218 may comprise the received packets to extract payload data carried therein.
- the data may comprise compressed audio data, utilizing G.711 compression standard for example.
- additional processes may also be performed, including decryption where the data is encrypted, for example.
- Adaptive jitter buffering 220 may enable buffering of received data to mitigate, for example, jitter effects which may be caused by delays in processing and/or communication of the audio data.
- Packet loss concealment 222 may then be utilized to mask loss of data that may have occurred due to packet loss and/or corruption during IP packet communication.
- voice decoding 224 may be performed to decode audio data extracted from received packets.
- G.711 algorithm may be used to decompress received audio data that may have been compressed by the transmitting peer.
- the decoded audio data may then be processed through the audio Rx processing 226 .
- the audio Rx processing 226 may correspond to various processing operations from group 206 , substantially as described with regard to FIG. 2A , which may performed during reception of VoIP packets, and may comprise, for example, AGC processing 228 , dynamic audio adjustments 230 , and/or audio equalization 232 .
- the AGC processing 228 may enable use of the AGC algorithms, for example, to boost low level audio signals and/or to scale down high level audio signals to produce a consistent received level.
- the dynamic audio adjustments 230 may enable adjusting playback of the audio dynamically, based on input from listener for example. Exemplary dynamic audio adjustments may comprise muting and/or volume adjustments.
- Audio equalization 232 may comprise use of various digital signal attenuation parameters and/or techniques to alter digitized audio signals corresponding to the received audio data.
- Codec operations 234 may then be utilized to enable playback by generating, for example, analog signals, via digital-to-analog conversion, corresponding to the received audio data, which may be playable via local speaker system.
- IP packets carrying VoIP audio data corresponding to audio streams captured locally may be generated and transmitted.
- Codec operations 242 may enable initial processing of audio streams captured local via microphone system for example.
- the Codec operations 242 may comprise, for example, analog-to-digital conversion.
- the digitized audio signals may then be subject to audio Tx processing 244 .
- Audio Tx processing 226 may correspond to various processing operations from group 206 , substantially as described with regard to FIG. 2A , which may performed during transmission of VoIP packets, and may comprise, for example, audio equalization 246 , AEC processing 248 , noise reduction 250 , and/or dynamic audio adjustments 252 .
- Audio equalization 246 may be substantially similar to audio equalization 232 performed during audio Tx processing 226 ; however, audio equalization parameters and/or techniques may be adjusted and/or modified to be suitable for performing transmission operations.
- the AEC processing 248 may enable use of AEC algorithms, for example, to remove and/or mitigate acoustic echo distortions that may occur during capture of audio streams.
- the noise reduction 250 may enable use of noise reduction algorithms to reduce and/or mitigate noise signals, for example background noise, which may have inadvertently been captured during capture of audio streams.
- voice encoding 256 may be performed to encode the processed audio data corresponding to capture audio streams.
- the G.711 algorithm may be used, for example, to generate G.711 compressed data that may be packed into IP packets for transmission.
- Networking Tx processing 260 may enable performing networking and/or telephony related operations, to enable generating packets that may be utilized to carry the VoIP data corresponding to the locally generated audio data.
- Networking Tx processing 260 may correspond to various processing operations from groups 202 and 204 , substantially as described with regard to FIG. 2A , and may comprise, for example, packetization 262 and/or UDP/RTP interfacing 264 .
- Packetization 262 may enable generation of data packets corresponding to compressed audio data.
- additional operations may also be performed, including, for example, encryption.
- UDP/RTP interfacing 264 may enable performing UDP and/or RTP based processing.
- the UDP/RTP interfacing 264 may comprise, for example, generating and/or populating UDP and/or RTP headers that may enable the receiving endpoint to perform necessary transport related processing operations.
- IP interfacing 212 may then enable IP based processing to enable transmission of IP packets carrying the VoIP data, by generating, for example, IP headers.
- the IP packets may then be transmitted via the IP backbone 270 .
- At least some of the processing steps of flow 210 may be delegated from the audio endpoint device 118 to the access point 102 , substantially as described with regard to FIG. 2A .
- FIG. 3A is a diagram that illustrates exemplary networking and telephony processing performed in a VoIP access point, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- the access point 102 there is shown the access point 102 , substantially as described with regard to, for example, FIG. 1A .
- IP backbone 270 is also shown.
- the access point 102 may be utilized to service endpoint devices during VoIP communications by providing network connectivity, to the IP backbone 270 and/or by performing at least some of processing operations necessary to facilitate VoIP communication.
- the access point 102 may enable performing IP interfacing 212 , substantially as described with regard to FIG. 2B , to enable reception and/or transmission of IP packets carrying audio data during the VoIP communications and performing IP related processing operations.
- the access point 102 may also perform networking Rx processing 214 , substantially as described with regard to FIG. 2B .
- the PCM decoding 304 may enable decoding audio data which may be extracted from received IP packets during networking Rx processing 214 .
- the PCM decoding 304 may enable extracting decoded audio data which may have been compressed using one or more PCM based schemes, including G.711 for example.
- the decoded audio data may then be communicated via the VoIP access point (AP) interfacing 308 .
- the VoIP AP interfacing 308 may correspond to functionality and/or subsystems in the access point 102 that may enable transmission and/or reception of data in the access point 102 , over wireless links for example.
- the VoIP AP interfacing 308 may represent, for example, use of the system 130 to enable data communication via the RF front-end 140 and one or more of the plurality of antennas 142 a , . . . , 142 b , over Bluetooth and/or WiFi links.
- the VoIP AP interfacing 308 may enable reception of audio data via wireless links.
- the received audio data may then be sent through PCM encoding 306 to generated encoded data based on one or more PCM based compression standards for example.
- the encoded data may then be processed through the networking Tx processing 260 , substantially as described with regard to FIG. 2B , to generate packets carrying the received audio data after it had been processed and encoded.
- the IP interfacing 212 may then performed to enable transmission of IP packets carrying the VoIP data via the IP backbone 270 .
- FIG. 3B is a diagram that illustrates exemplary audio processing operations performed in an audio endpoint device during servicing operations by a VoIP access point, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- the access point 102 there is shown the access point 102 , the IP backbone 270 , and the audio endpoint device 118 .
- an audio front-end 324 Also shown is an audio front-end 324 .
- the audio front-end 324 may correspond to suitable functionality and/or subsystems in the audio endpoint device 118 that may enable capturing and/or playing back audio streams.
- the access point 102 may be utilized to service the audio endpoint device 118 during VoIP communications by providing network connectivity, to the IP backbone 270 , and by performing some of the processing operations necessary to facilitate VoIP communication.
- the audio endpoint device 118 may be operable to generate audio data that may be transmitted during VoIP communication.
- the audio front-end 324 may enable capturing audio streams, via microphone system for example.
- the audio front-end 324 may also enable performing initial codec processing operations, comprising, for example, analog-to-digital conversions.
- the digitized audio data may then be processed via the audio Tx processing 244 , substantially as described with regard to FIG. 2B .
- the processed audio data may then be communicated to the access point 102 via VoIP AP interfacing 322 , which may correspond to suitable functionality and/or subsystems in the audio endpoint 118 that enable connecting to and/or communicating with the access point 102 via one or more wireless links, substantially as described with regard to FIG. 1A .
- the access point 102 may be utilized to perform remaining VoIP processing operations, substantially as described with regard to FIG. 3A , to enable transmitting IP packet carry VoIP data via the IP backbone 270 .
- VoIP AP interfacing 322 may enable reception of audio data in the audio endpoint device 118 from the access point 112 , via one or more wireless links.
- the received audio data may then be processed through the audio Rx processing 226 , substantially as described with regard to the FIG. 2B .
- the audio front-end 324 may enable playback of corresponding audio streams by generating, for example, analog signals, via digital-to-analog conversions, corresponding to the received audio data, which may be playable via local speaker system.
- FIG. 3C is a diagram that illustrates exemplary VoIP access point support during processing in cellular device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- the access point 102 there is shown the access point 102 , the audio endpoint device 118 , the IP backbone 270 , and the cellular device 116 .
- a cellular backbone 340 Also shown in FIG. 3C are a cellular backbone 340 , a cellular RF front-end 342 , and a cellular audio front-end 350 .
- the cellular backbone 340 may correspond to the cellular network 112 and/or the cellular transceiver 114 , which may be operable to provide network connectivity in the cellular device 116 via cellular links.
- the cellular RF front-end 342 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may enable RF transmission and/or reception based on one or more cellular protocols.
- the cellular audio front-end 350 may correspond to suitable functionality and/or subsystems in the cellular device 116 that may enable capturing and/or playing back audio streams, during voice calls in the cellular device 116 for example.
- the cellular device 116 may be operable to support voice calls.
- the cellular audio front-end 350 may enable capturing audio streams, via a microphone subsystem for example.
- the cellular audio front-end 350 may also be operable to perform initial processing, comprising, for example, analog-to-digital conversions, to enable digital signal processing.
- the digitized audio signals may then be processed, by performing processing steps similar to the steps of the audio Tx processing 244 , substantially as described with regard to FIG. 2A , for example.
- the processed audio data may then be sent via cellular Tx processing 346 to enable communication via cellular links.
- the cellular Tx processing 346 may comprise a plurality of processing operations that may be specific to the desired cellular interface, including, for example, voice encoding and/or modulation.
- the cellular RF interface 342 may then be used to communicate the properly formatted messaging carrying the audio data to the cellular backbone 340 .
- the cellular RF front-end 342 may enable receiving of messages from the cellular backbone 340 via cellular links, which may carry audio data.
- the received messages may be processed, via cellular Rx processing 344 , to enable extracting audio data.
- the cellular Tx processing 344 may comprise a plurality of processing operations that may be specific to the cellular interface utilized to receive messaging from the cellular backbone 340 , including, for example, demodulation and/or voice decoding.
- the extracted audio data may then be processed, by performing processing steps similar to the steps of the audio Rx processing 226 , substantially as described with regard to FIG. 2A , for example.
- the cellular audio front-end 350 may then be utilized to playback corresponding audio streams by generating, for example, analog signals, utilizing digital-to-analog conversions, corresponding to the received audio data, which may be playable via a speaker subsystem.
- the cellular device 116 may be operable to participate in VoIP servicing operations.
- the cellular device 116 may comprise VoIP access point (AP) interfacing 348 , which may correspond to suitable functionality and/or subsystems in the cellular device 116 that may enable connecting to and/or interacting with the access point 102 and/or the audio endpoint device 118 via one or more wireless links, substantially as described with regard to FIG. 1A .
- Exemplary wireless links that may be supported via the VoIP AP interfacing 348 may comprise Bluetooth and/or WiFi links.
- the VoIP AP interfacing 348 may also enable communication between the cellular device 116 and the audio endpoint device 118 .
- the cellular device 116 may be utilized, for example, as an intermediary device that may enable routing of messages and/or data between the access point 102 and the audio endpoint device 118 .
- the routed messages and/or data may be received and retransmitted via the VoIP AP interfacing 348 , for example, with no or minimal processing with the cellular device 116 .
- the cellular device 116 may also be utilized as an endpoint device that may be serviced by the access point 102 .
- audio data may be communicated between the cellular device 116 and the access point 102 , via the VoIP AP interfacing 348 .
- Audio Rx processing 226 and audio Tx processing 244 may enable performing necessary processing operations, substantially as described with regard to FIG. 2B , during audio data reception and transmission, respectively.
- the cellular audio front-end 350 may be operable to enable capturing and/or playing back corresponding audio streams.
- the cellular device 116 may also be utilized to provide VoIP access point servicing. In this regard, some of the processing operations performed during VoIP communications may be performed within the cellular device 116 .
- the cellular Rx processing 344 and/or the cellular Tx processing 346 may be modified and/or configured to enable performing networking related processing operations comprising steps similar to the steps of the networking Tx processing 214 and/or networking Tx processing 260 , for example, substantially as described with regard to FIG. 2A , and/or PCM based encoding and/or decoding.
- Audio data may be communicated between the cellular device 116 and the audio endpoint device 118 via the VoIP AP processing 348 , over wireless links for example.
- FIG. 4 is a flow chart that illustrates VoIP access convergence in a mobile device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 4 , there is shown a flow chart 400 comprising a plurality of exemplary steps, which may enable use of access point to service VoIP communications by endpoint devices.
- VoIP servicing may be established via an access point.
- VoIP servicing via the access point 102 may be established.
- the VoIP servicing may be preprogrammed into the access point 102 , and/or may be requested and negotiated for by the audio endpoint device 118 .
- the access point 102 may operable to perform at least a subset of processing operations otherwise performed wholly by the audio endpoint device 118 .
- a determination of the direction of data routing via the access point during VoIP communication may be performed.
- the exemplary steps may proceed to step 406 .
- audio data may be received in the access point 102 from the audio endpoint device 118 , via wireless links for example.
- networking and/or telephony operations may be performed on received audio data via the access point 102 . These operations may comprise, for example, PCM encoding, encryption, packetization, and/or generation of transport and/or IP headers and/or parameters.
- IP packets carrying the VoIP data may be transmitted by the access point 102 , via the IP backbone 270 for example.
- step 412 IP packets carrying the VoIP data may be received by the access point 102 , from the IP backbone 270 for example.
- step 414 networking and/or telephony operations may be performed on received IP packets. These operations may comprise, for example, IP and/or transport headers and/or parameters parsing and/or processing, de-packetization, decryption, and/or PCM decoding.
- step 416 audio data extracted in the access point 102 from received IP packets may be transmitted to the audio endpoint device 118 , via wireless links for example.
- Various embodiments of the invention may comprise a method and system for endpoint based architecture for VoIP access points.
- the access point 102 may be operable to provide voice-over-IP (VoIP) service to the audio endpoint device 118 .
- VoIP voice-over-IP
- At least some of the processing that may need to be performed via the audio endpoint device 118 during VoIP communications may be performed by the access point 102 .
- the access point 102 may be operable, in the downlink direction, to extract VoIP audio data received via IP packets, and to communicate the extracted audio data as non-VoIP formatted data to the audio endpoint device 118 .
- Communications between the access point 102 and the audio endpoint device 118 may be performed via one or more wireless interfaces, which may comprise Bluetooth, ZigBee, WLAN, and/or WiMAX interfaces.
- the access point 102 may be operable to receive non-VoIP formatted audio data from the audio endpoint device 118 , and may pack the received data into IP packets for VoIP communication.
- the access point 102 may also be operable to perform PCM based encoding/decoding operations during VoIP servicing operations via the access point 102 .
- the audio endpoint device 118 may perform audio processing during VoIP communications via the access point 102 , comprising audio equalization 232 and/or 246 , dynamic audio adjustments 230 and/or 252 , AGC processing 228 , AEC processing 248 , and/or noise reduction 250 .
- the cellular device 116 may be operable to route messages between the access point 102 and the audio endpoint device 118 , using Bluetooth and/or WLAN interfaces between the cellular device 116 and the access point 102 , and between the cellular device 116 and the serviced audio endpoint device 118 .
- Another embodiment of the invention may provide a machine, and/or computer readable storage, and/or medium, having stored thereon, a machine code, and/or a computer program having at least one code section executable by a machine, and/or a computer, thereby causing the machine, and/or computer to perform the steps as described herein for endpoint based architecture for VoIP access points.
- the present invention may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.
- the present invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited.
- a typical combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.
- the present invention may also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods.
- Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.
Abstract
Description
- [Not Applicable].
- [Not Applicable].
- [Not Applicable].
- Certain embodiments of the invention relate to communications. More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for endpoint based architecture for VoIP access points.
- The field of communication has seen dramatic growth the last few years, especially wireless communication. In today's world, most people use their wireless devices for various purposes, business and personal, on a constant and daily basis. Society is truly becoming a wireless one. A lot of wireless solutions have been introduced, and have made tremendous strides into everyday's life.
- For example, the use of Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPAN) has gained a lot of popularity in a great number of applications because of the flexibility and convenience in connectivity they provide. WPAN systems generally replace cumbersome cabling and/or wiring used to connect peripheral devices and/or mobile terminals by providing short distance wireless links that allow connectivity within very narrow spatial limits (typically, a 10-meter range). WPAN may be based on standardized technologies, for example Class 2 Bluetooth (BT) technology. While WPAN may be very beneficial for certain applications, other applications may require larger service areas and/or capabilities.
- Other technologies have been developed to provide greater wireless service. Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) systems may operate within a 100-meter range, for example. In contrast to the WPAN systems, WLAN provide connectivity to devices that are located within a slightly larger geographical area, such as the area covered by a building or a campus, for example. WLAN systems are generally based on specific standards, for example IEEE 802.11 standard specifications, and typically operate within a 100-meter range, and are generally utilized to supplement the communication capacity provided by traditional wired Local Area Networks (LANs) installed in the same geographic area as the WLAN system.
- Other forms of wireless solutions have evolved from traditional land-based communication technologies. For instance, cellular phones have become an almost absolute necessity in today's world. Many modern cellular technologies, including such technologies as GSM/GPRS/EDGE, UMTS, and CDMA2000, incorporate many features and capabilities. Most of today's cellular services include, in addition to voice calls, such features as text messaging, video streaming, and/or web browsing.
- Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.
- A system, and/or method is provided for endpoint based architecture for VoIP access points, substantially as shown in, and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.
- These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.
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FIG. 1A is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary system comprising a voice-over-IP (VoIP) access point, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 1B is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary communication system that enables providing VoIP access point servicing, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 2A is a diagram that illustrates grouping of processing operations performed during VoIP, which may be utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 2B is a diagram that illustrates exemplary processing steps during VoIP transmit and receive operations, which may be utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 3A is a diagram that illustrates exemplary networking and telephony processing performed in a VoIP access point, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 3B is a diagram that illustrates exemplary audio processing operations performed in an audio endpoint device during servicing operations by a VoIP access point, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 3C is a diagram that illustrates exemplary VoIP access point support during processing in cellular device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 4 is a flow chart that illustrates VoIP access convergence in a mobile device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. - Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for endpoint based architecture for VoIP access points. In various embodiments of the invention, an access point may be operable to provide voice-over-IP (VoIP) service to a plurality of wireless audio endpoint devices. The access point may be operable, in the downlink direction, to extract VoIP audio data received via IP packets, and to communicate the extracted audio data as non-VoIP formatted data to the wireless audio endpoint devices. Communications between the access point and the wireless audio endpoint devices may be performed via one or more wireless interfaces. Exemplary wireless interfaces may comprise Bluetooth, ZigBee, wireless local area network (WLAN), and/or Worldwide Inter-operability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) interfaces. In the uplink direction, the access point may be operable to receive non-VoIP formatted audio data from the wireless audio endpoint devices, and may pack the received data into IP packets for VoIP communication. The access point may also be operable to perform pulse-code modulation (PCM) based encoding/decoding operations during VoIP servicing operations by the access point. The wireless audio endpoint devices may perform audio processing during VoIP communications via the access point, comprising audio equalization, dynamic audio processing, automatic gain control (AGC) processing, Acoustic Echo Canceler (AEC) processing, and/or noise reduction. One or more intermediary communication devices may be utilized to route messages between the access point and at least some of the wireless audio endpoint devices. For example, a cellular device may be operable to route messages between the access point and the wireless audio endpoint devices, using Bluetooth and/or WLAN interfaces between the cellular device and the access point, and between the cellular device and the serviced wireless audio endpoint devices.
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FIG. 1A is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary system comprising a voice-over-IP (VoIP) access point, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 1 , there is shown anaccess point 102, a wireless network 104, a land-basedtelephony network 106, abackbone network 110, a cellular network 112, acellular transceiver 114, acellular device 116, and anaudio endpoint device 118. - The wireless network 104 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may enable implementing functional blocks corresponding to one or more wireless technologies. Exemplary wireless technologies may comprise WLAN (IEEE 802.11) and/or WiMAX (IEEE 802.16) architectures. Access to the wireless network 104 may be provided via a plurality of the
access point 102. Theaccess point 102 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may enable providing wireless access, via the wireless network 104, to one or more suitably capable wireless devices, for example theaudio endpoint device 118, via a WiFi and/or Bluetooth link for example. - The land-based
telephony network 106 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be operable to provide wire-line based connectivity between local, and/or remote entities. For example, the land-basedtelephony network 106 may comprise a standard telephony network (POTS) that may enable telephony based connectivity between different nodes. Thebackbone network 110 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be operable to provide overall system connectivity among local, and/or remote sub-networks. Thebackbone network 110 may provide, for example, overall connectivity that enables peer-to-peer internet protocol (IP) based communications. Thebackbone network 110 may be operable to interact with, and connect different wired, and/or wireless technologies. For example, thebackbone network 110 may provide IP backbone connectivity and/or routing between different nodes linking wired, and/or wireless networks comprising WLAN networks, WiMAX networks, cellular networks, wired LAN networks, and/or land-based telephony networks. - The cellular network 112 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may provide and/or support communication based on one or more cellular technologies. Exemplary cellular technologies may comprise CDMA, WCDMA, CDMA2000, HSDPA, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, and/or UMTS. Access to the cellular network 112 may be provided via a plurality of the
cellular transceiver 114. Thecellular transceiver 114 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be utilized to enable transmission, and/or reception of cellular based communications between the cellular network 112 and cellular capable devices, for example thecellular device 116, via thecellular link 116. For example, thecellular transceiver 114 may correspond to cellular towers, and/or base stations within a cellular communication system. Thecellular device 116 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may enable cellular communications. Thecellular device 116 may be operable to communicate with thecellular transceiver 114, for example, based on one or more cellular interface to provide network access via the cellular network 112 and/or thebackbone network 110. In an exemplary aspect of the invention, thecellular device 116 may be operable to communicate with devices which may be located within proximity of thecellular device 116 via one or more supported wireless interfaces. For example, thecellular device 116 may be operable to utilize WLAN and/or WPAN interfaces to communicate with theaccess point 102 and/or theaudio endpoint device 118. - The
audio endpoint device 118 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may enable audio communication, wherein audio streams may be captured and/or played, processed, and communicated to a peer during voice calls. For example, theaudio endpoint device 118 may correspond to a traditional phone and/or a mobile device that provide voice calling functionality. Theaudio endpoint device 118 may be operable to provide voice-over-lP (VoIP) services wherein audio data may be communicated via IP based networks. In an exemplary aspect of the invention, theaudio endpoint device 118 may support one or more wireless protocols to enable communication with other devices that may be located near theaudio endpoint device 118. Theaudio endpoint device 118 may support, for example, WLAN and/or WPAN interfaces to enable communication with theaccess point 102 and/or thecellular device 116. Exemplary WLAN interface may comprise 802.11 based interfaces, including, for example, WiFi links. WPAN interfaces may be based on standardized technologies that enable short range inter-device communications. Exemplary WPAN standards may comprise Bluetooth, ZigBee, and/or Ultra-Wideband (UWB). - In operation, the
access point 102 may be operable to provide access to the wireless network 104, for a plurality of wireless devices which may require network connectivity to local and/or remote peers. Theaccess point 102 may be operable to, for example, support wireless links, such as WLAN and/or WiMax links. Thecellular device 116 may be operable to access the cellular network 112 at, for example, thecellular transceiver 114, via cellular links. Theaudio endpoint device 118 may be operable to enable communication of audio and/or multimedia communications. Theaudio endpoint device 118 may be used, for example, to support voice calls or to transfer multimedia information between a plurality of callers. The voice call routing may be provided, for example, via the land-basedtelephony network 106. - The
audio endpoint device 118 may also be operable to support VoIP communication. Data communications, during VoIP sessions via theaudio endpoint device 118 may be performed via direct connections, through the land-basedtelephony network 106 for example. Theaudio endpoint device 118 may also obtain network connectivity, to facilitate VoIP operations, indirectly via secondary devices. For example, theaudio endpoint device 118 may be operable to communicate with theaccess point 102 to obtain network connectivity via the wireless network 104, and/or to enable theaccess point 102 to route packets exchanged during VoIP communication via theaudio endpoint device 118. In this regard, theaudio endpoint device 118 may be operable to utilize one or more of supported wireless and/or wired interfaces during VoIP operations. For example, theaudio endpoint device 118 may utilize WLAN and/or WPAN links to communicate with theaccess point 102. - In various exemplary aspects of the invention, at least some of the processing that may need to be performed via the
audio endpoint device 118 during VoIP communications may be delegated to, and/or performed by theaccess point 102. For example, during VoIP communications, some telephony and/or networking operations may be performed to enable establishing, utilize and/or terminate connections to enable communication of IP packets carrying the audio data or multimedia information between the peers in the VoIP call. Accordingly, theaccess point 102 may be used, for example, to perform these telephony and/or networking operations. The audio data that would otherwise be carried by the IP packets during VoIP sessions may then be communicated directly between theaccess point 102 and theaudio endpoint device 118 using wireless links between the devices, for example WLAN and/or WPAN links. In some embodiments of the invention, theaccess point 102 may also provide VoIP servicing to thecellular device 116, where connections between thecellular device 116 and the cellular network 112 may not be available or desired. - In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the
cellular device 116 may also be utilized to provide VoIP servicing similar to what may be provided by theaccess point 102. Thecellular device 116 may also be operable to route packets transmitted and/or received by theaudio endpoint device 118 via the cellular network 112. Data communication between thecellular device 116 and theaudio endpoint device 118 may be the performed via wireless links, which may comprise WLAN and/or WPAN links. Thecellular device 116 may also perform some of the processing operations that would otherwise be performed during VoIP communication, substantially as described with regard to theaccess point 102. Thecellular device 116 may also be utilized to route data and/or packets between theaccess point 102 and theaudio endpoint device 118 during VoIP servicing by theaccess point 102 where direct links between theaccess point 102 and theaudio endpoint device 118 may not be available or desirable. -
FIG. 1B is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary communication system that enables providing VoIP access point servicing, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 2 , there is show asystem 130 comprising amain processor 132, asystem memory 134, anaudio processor 136, a wired front-end 138, a RF front-end 140, a plurality ofantennas 142 a, . . . , 142 b, an and anapplication processor 144. - The
main processor 132 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may enable processing data and/or controlling operations of thesystem 130. In this regard, themain processor 132 may be enabled to provide control signals to the various other components and/or modules within thesystem 130. Themain processor 132 may also control transfer of data between various portions of thesystem 130. Additionally, themain processor 132 may enable execution of applications programs and/or code. In various embodiments of the invention, the applications, programs, and/or code may enable, for example, parsing, transcoding, or otherwise processing data. In various embodiments of the invention, the applications, programs, and/or code may enable, for example, configuring or controlling operation of thesystem memory 134, theaudio processor 136, the wired front-end 138, and/or the RF front-end 140, to enable, for example, supporting VoIP servicing operations. In some embodiments of the invention, at least some of the applications may be performed by a dedicated processor, theapplication processor 144. - The
system memory 134 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may enable storage and/ retrieval of data. Thesystem memory 134 may be operable to enable buffering data during operation of thesystem 130, and/or may be utilized to store and retrieve information and/or code that may effectuate the operation of thesystem 130. The information and/or code may comprise configuration data and/or parameters, software, and/or firmware, but the information and/or code need not be limited in this regard. - The
audio processor 136 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces operable to perform signal processing operations to facilitate communication of voice data via one or more wired and/or wireless interfaces, which may be supported via the wired front-end 138 and/or the RF front-end 140. In various embodiments of the invention, theaudio processor 136 may encode, decode, transcode, modulate, demodulate, encrypt, decrypt, scramble, descramble, and/or otherwise process signals transmitted and/or received via thesystem 130. In various embodiments of the invention, theaudio processor 136 may be operable to adjust a modulation scheme, error coding scheme, and/or data rates of transmitted signals. - The RF front-
end 140 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be operable to perform RF transmission and/or reception, utilizing a plurality of antennas and/or frequency bands. The RF front-end 140 may be operable to utilize the plurality ofantennas 142 a, . . . , 142 b to support RF communication corresponding to various wireless communication protocols. In this regard, the RF front-end 140 may be operable to perform RF transmission and/or reception of signals, via the plurality ofantennas 142 a, . . . , 142 b, comprising data and/or control packets during Bluetooth, WLAN, WiMAX, and/or FM communications in thesystem 130. Each of the plurality ofantennas 142 a, . . . , 142 b may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that enable transmission and/or reception of RF signals within certain bandwidths. For example, one or more of the plurality ofantennas 142 a, . . . , 142 b may enable RF transmission and/or reception via the 2.4 GHz, which is suitable for WiMAX, Bluetooth and/or WLAN RF transmissions and/or receptions. - The wired front-
end 138 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be operable to communicate data in adherence to one or more wired protocols supported via thesystem 130. The wired front-end 138 may be operable to perform amplification, down-conversion, filtering, demodulation, and analog to digital conversion of received signals. The wired front-end 138 may also be operable to perform amplification, up-conversion, filtering, modulation, and digital to analog conversion of transmitted signals. The wired front-end 138 may enable communicating data, for example, T1/E1 lines, optical fibers (e.g., XPON), DSL, and/or Ethernet connections. - In operation, the
system 130 may correspond to, or be integrated in theaccess point 102 to enable performing various operations substantially as described with regard toFIG. 1A . Thesystem 130 may enable transmitting and/or receiving data over one or more wired and/or wireless interfaces. For example, thesystem 130 may be integrated within theaccess point 102 to enable supporting of wireless links that may be utilized to provide network access to the wireless network 104 and/or the land-basedtelephony network 106. In this regard, thesystem 130 may enable wired based communication between theaccess point 102 and the wireless network 104 and/or the land-basedtelephony network 106 via the wired front-end 138. Thesystem 130 may provide RF support, via the RF front-end 140 and the plurality ofantennas 142 a, . . . , 142 b, to provide WiFi links, to enable communication between theaccess point 102 and theaudio endpoint device 118 and/or thecellular device 116, for example. Themain processor 132, thesystem memory 134, and/or theaudio processor 136 may be utilized to enable processing, managing, and/or buffering received and/or transmitted data. For example, themain processor 132, thesystem memory 134, and/or theaudio processor 136 may enable extraction of data received via a wired and/or wireless interfaces supported via thesystem 130, and may then enable processing the extracted data to enable transmission via different wired and/or wireless interfaces. - In an exemplary aspect of the invention, the
system 130 may be enabled to perform at least some of the processing otherwise performed via endpoint devices during VoIP communication. For example, VoIP communication may require performing telephony and/or networking operations to facilitate establishment of connections that enable exchange of IP packets carrying the audio data between the peers in the VoIP call. Accordingly, themain processor 132, thesystem memory 134, and/or theapplication processor 144, for example, may be utilized to perform these telephony and/or networking operations. In the uplink direction, themain processor 132, theapplication processor 144, thesystem memory 134, and/or theaudio processor 136 may enable receiving audio data, from theendpoint device 118 for example, via the RF front-end 140, and one or more of the plurality ofantennas 142 a, . . . , 142 b. Themain processor 132, theapplication processor 144, thesystem memory 134, and/or theaudio processor 136 may then be utilized to generate and/or process IP packets which may carry the received audio data. The IP packets may then be transmitted via the wired front-end 138 and/or the RF front-end 140. In the downlink direction, IP packets carrying audio data may also be received in thesystem 130, via the wired front-end 138 and/or the RF front-end 140. Themain processor 132, theapplication processor 144, thesystem memory 134, and/or theaudio processor 136 may then be utilized to process the received IP packets to extract audio data which may be communicated to theendpoint device 118 via the RF front-end 140, and one or more of the plurality ofantennas 142 a, . . . , 142 b. -
FIG. 2A is a diagram that illustrates grouping of processing operations performed during VoIP, which may be utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 2A , there is shown processinggroups Group 202 may comprise processing operations corresponding to networking standards, which may be utilized during generation, communication, and/or processing of network packets carrying VoIP data. Exemplary networking standards may comprise the Internet Protocol (IP), the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), the Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP), the RTP Control Protocol (RTCP), the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), and/or the H.323 standard, which addresses call signaling and control, multimedia transport and control, and bandwidth control for point-to-point and multi-point conferences.Group 202 may also comprise processing operations corresponding to voice coding standards, which may be utilized to compress and/or decompress audio data that may be written into the network packets. Exemplary voice compression standards may comprise G.711, G.722, G.726, and/or G.729, which utilized various pulse-code modulation based schemes to compress audio information into bit strings.Group 204 may comprise network performance related processing operations, including, for example, packetization, encryption/decryption, and/or determining and/or mitigating performance degradation parameters, which may include delay, low data rates, and/or jitter.Group 204 processing operation may enable adjustment of characteristics of communicated packets to improve performance of VoIP communication, based on predetermined criteria and/or user specified parameters.Group 206 may comprise audio processing operations that may be performed during capture and/or playback of audio data communicated during VoIP sessions. Exemplary operations may comprise voice activity detection (VAD), audio and/or microphone equalization, silence suppression (SS), automatic gain control (AGC) processing, acoustic echo canceller (AEC) processing, and/or noise reduction. - In operation, processing operations of
groups audio endpoint device 118 may be operable to establish VoIP sessions such that audio data may be communicated via IP packets transmitted from and/or received in theaudio endpoint device 118. The processing operations ofgroup 206 may be performed, using suitable logic, hardware and/or software in theaudio endpoint device 118 to enable capturing and/or playing back audio streams. Similarly, the processing operations ofgroup 202 may be performed to enable generating and/or processing IP packets communicated during the VoIP sessions, and to enable compressing and/or decompressing the audio streams to and/or from corresponding data that may be communicated via the IP packets. The processing operations ofgroup 204 may similarly be performed to monitor, manage, and/or adjust various parameters and/or operation of the VoIP communication. For example, audio and/or network related parameters, including jitter, delay, and/or bitrates may be monitored and/or managed during the VoIP communication. - In an exemplary aspect of the inventions, at least some of the processing operations of
groups audio endpoint device 118, some of the processing operations may be performed in theaccess point 102. Theaccess point 102 may be operable, for example, to perform some of the networking and/or telephony related operations ofgroups 202 and/or 204. In some embodiments of the invention, theaccess point device 102 may also be operable to perform VoIP based voice coding standards based processing operations ofgroup 202. Division of processing operation between endpoint devices and access points may be predetermined. For example, each of theend point 118 and/or theaccess 102 may be preprogrammed to perform a subset of the processing operations ofgroups endpoint device 118 and theaccess point 102 may negotiate division of processing operations. The negotiated divison of processing operations may be based on various parameters, including, for example, cost, compensation, and/or available processing resources in theaccess point 102. The divison of processing operations may be performed prior to start of VoIP communication, when links between theendpoint device 118 and theaccess point 102 are being set up for example. In some instances, divison of processing operation may also be adjusted, dynamically, during active VoIP communications. -
FIG. 2B is a diagram that illustrates exemplary processing steps during VoIP transmit and receive operations, which may be utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 2B , there is show aflow 210 that may show exemplary processing sequences for both audio transmit and receive paths during VoIP based communications. - In the audio receive (Rx) path, IP packets carrying VoIP audio data may be received from the
IP backbone 210 and processed to enable local playback of corresponding audio streams. TheIP backbone 270 may comprise a plurality of networks and/or systems that may provide overall routing of IP packets between peers during IP based communication. TheIP backbone 270 may correspond to one or more of the wireless network 104, the land-basedtelephony network 106, and/or thebackbone network 110, substantially as described with regard toFIG. 1A . IP interfacing 212 may enable performing IP based processing by parsing, for example, IP headers in the received IP packets. - Networking Rx processing 214 may then enable performing additional networking and/or telephony related operations on the received packets. Networking Rx processing 214 may correspond to various processing operations from
groups FIG. 2A , and may comprise, for example, UDP/RTP interfacing 216,de-packetization 218,adaptive jitter buffering 220, and/orpacket loss concealment 222. UDP/RTP interfacing 216 may enable performing UDP and/or RTP based processing. The UDP and RTP processing correspond to various transport related operations. The UDP protocol may provide general transmission and/or reception of packets with minimal guarantees of reliability, ordering, and data integrity, and is used irrespective of the type data carried. The RTP protocol may provide additional packet transport operations for communicating packetized audio and/or video data over the Internet.De-packetization 218 may comprise the received packets to extract payload data carried therein. The data may comprise compressed audio data, utilizing G.711 compression standard for example. During de-packetization, additional processes may also be performed, including decryption where the data is encrypted, for example.Adaptive jitter buffering 220 may enable buffering of received data to mitigate, for example, jitter effects which may be caused by delays in processing and/or communication of the audio data.Packet loss concealment 222 may then be utilized to mask loss of data that may have occurred due to packet loss and/or corruption during IP packet communication. - Once networking Rx processing 214 is complete,
voice decoding 224 may be performed to decode audio data extracted from received packets. For example, G.711 algorithm may be used to decompress received audio data that may have been compressed by the transmitting peer. - The decoded audio data may then be processed through the audio Rx processing 226. The audio Rx processing 226 may correspond to various processing operations from
group 206, substantially as described with regard toFIG. 2A , which may performed during reception of VoIP packets, and may comprise, for example,AGC processing 228,dynamic audio adjustments 230, and/oraudio equalization 232. TheAGC processing 228 may enable use of the AGC algorithms, for example, to boost low level audio signals and/or to scale down high level audio signals to produce a consistent received level. Thedynamic audio adjustments 230, may enable adjusting playback of the audio dynamically, based on input from listener for example. Exemplary dynamic audio adjustments may comprise muting and/or volume adjustments.Audio equalization 232 may comprise use of various digital signal attenuation parameters and/or techniques to alter digitized audio signals corresponding to the received audio data. -
Codec operations 234 may then be utilized to enable playback by generating, for example, analog signals, via digital-to-analog conversion, corresponding to the received audio data, which may be playable via local speaker system. - In the audio transmit (Tx) path, IP packets carrying VoIP audio data corresponding to audio streams captured locally may be generated and transmitted.
Codec operations 242 may enable initial processing of audio streams captured local via microphone system for example. TheCodec operations 242 may comprise, for example, analog-to-digital conversion. The digitized audio signals may then be subject toaudio Tx processing 244. Audio Tx processing 226 may correspond to various processing operations fromgroup 206, substantially as described with regard toFIG. 2A , which may performed during transmission of VoIP packets, and may comprise, for example,audio equalization 246,AEC processing 248,noise reduction 250, and/ordynamic audio adjustments 252.Audio equalization 246 may be substantially similar toaudio equalization 232 performed during audio Tx processing 226; however, audio equalization parameters and/or techniques may be adjusted and/or modified to be suitable for performing transmission operations. TheAEC processing 248 may enable use of AEC algorithms, for example, to remove and/or mitigate acoustic echo distortions that may occur during capture of audio streams. Thenoise reduction 250 may enable use of noise reduction algorithms to reduce and/or mitigate noise signals, for example background noise, which may have inadvertently been captured during capture of audio streams. - Once audio Tx processing 244 is complete,
voice encoding 256 may be performed to encode the processed audio data corresponding to capture audio streams. The G.711 algorithm may be used, for example, to generate G.711 compressed data that may be packed into IP packets for transmission. - The encoded audio data may then be processed through the
networking Tx processing 260. Networking Tx processing 260 may enable performing networking and/or telephony related operations, to enable generating packets that may be utilized to carry the VoIP data corresponding to the locally generated audio data. Networking Tx processing 260 may correspond to various processing operations fromgroups FIG. 2A , and may comprise, for example,packetization 262 and/or UDP/RTP interfacing 264.Packetization 262 may enable generation of data packets corresponding to compressed audio data. Duringpacketization 262, additional operations may also be performed, including, for example, encryption. UDP/RTP interfacing 264 may enable performing UDP and/or RTP based processing. The UDP/RTP interfacing 264 may comprise, for example, generating and/or populating UDP and/or RTP headers that may enable the receiving endpoint to perform necessary transport related processing operations. IP interfacing 212 may then enable IP based processing to enable transmission of IP packets carrying the VoIP data, by generating, for example, IP headers. The IP packets may then be transmitted via theIP backbone 270. - In an exemplary aspect of the inventions, at least some of the processing steps of
flow 210, both in the audio Tx path and the audio Rx path, may be delegated from theaudio endpoint device 118 to theaccess point 102, substantially as described with regard toFIG. 2A . -
FIG. 3A is a diagram that illustrates exemplary networking and telephony processing performed in a VoIP access point, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 3A , there is shown theaccess point 102, substantially as described with regard to, for example,FIG. 1A . Also shown isIP backbone 270, substantially as described with regard toFIG. 2B . - In operation, the
access point 102 may be utilized to service endpoint devices during VoIP communications by providing network connectivity, to theIP backbone 270 and/or by performing at least some of processing operations necessary to facilitate VoIP communication. Theaccess point 102 may enable performing IP interfacing 212, substantially as described with regard toFIG. 2B , to enable reception and/or transmission of IP packets carrying audio data during the VoIP communications and performing IP related processing operations. In the downlink direction, theaccess point 102 may also perform networking Rx processing 214, substantially as described with regard toFIG. 2B . ThePCM decoding 304 may enable decoding audio data which may be extracted from received IP packets during networking Rx processing 214. ThePCM decoding 304 may enable extracting decoded audio data which may have been compressed using one or more PCM based schemes, including G.711 for example. The decoded audio data may then be communicated via the VoIP access point (AP) interfacing 308. The VoIP AP interfacing 308 may correspond to functionality and/or subsystems in theaccess point 102 that may enable transmission and/or reception of data in theaccess point 102, over wireless links for example. The VoIP AP interfacing 308 may represent, for example, use of thesystem 130 to enable data communication via the RF front-end 140 and one or more of the plurality ofantennas 142 a, . . . , 142 b, over Bluetooth and/or WiFi links. - In the uplink direction, the VoIP AP interfacing 308 may enable reception of audio data via wireless links. The received audio data may then be sent through PCM encoding 306 to generated encoded data based on one or more PCM based compression standards for example. The encoded data may then be processed through the networking Tx processing 260, substantially as described with regard to
FIG. 2B , to generate packets carrying the received audio data after it had been processed and encoded. The IP interfacing 212 may then performed to enable transmission of IP packets carrying the VoIP data via theIP backbone 270. -
FIG. 3B is a diagram that illustrates exemplary audio processing operations performed in an audio endpoint device during servicing operations by a VoIP access point, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 3B , there is shown theaccess point 102, theIP backbone 270, and theaudio endpoint device 118. Also shown is an audio front-end 324. The audio front-end 324 may correspond to suitable functionality and/or subsystems in theaudio endpoint device 118 that may enable capturing and/or playing back audio streams. - In operation, the
access point 102 may be utilized to service theaudio endpoint device 118 during VoIP communications by providing network connectivity, to theIP backbone 270, and by performing some of the processing operations necessary to facilitate VoIP communication. In the uplink direction, theaudio endpoint device 118 may be operable to generate audio data that may be transmitted during VoIP communication. The audio front-end 324 may enable capturing audio streams, via microphone system for example. The audio front-end 324 may also enable performing initial codec processing operations, comprising, for example, analog-to-digital conversions. The digitized audio data may then be processed via the audio Tx processing 244, substantially as described with regard toFIG. 2B . The processed audio data may then be communicated to theaccess point 102 via VoIP AP interfacing 322, which may correspond to suitable functionality and/or subsystems in theaudio endpoint 118 that enable connecting to and/or communicating with theaccess point 102 via one or more wireless links, substantially as described with regard toFIG. 1A . Once the audio data is received via theaccess point 102, theaccess point 102 may be utilized to perform remaining VoIP processing operations, substantially as described with regard toFIG. 3A , to enable transmitting IP packet carry VoIP data via theIP backbone 270. - In the downlink direction, VoIP AP interfacing 322 may enable reception of audio data in the
audio endpoint device 118 from the access point 112, via one or more wireless links. The received audio data may then be processed through the audio Rx processing 226, substantially as described with regard to theFIG. 2B . The audio front-end 324 may enable playback of corresponding audio streams by generating, for example, analog signals, via digital-to-analog conversions, corresponding to the received audio data, which may be playable via local speaker system. -
FIG. 3C is a diagram that illustrates exemplary VoIP access point support during processing in cellular device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 3C , there is shown theaccess point 102, theaudio endpoint device 118, theIP backbone 270, and thecellular device 116. Also shown inFIG. 3C are acellular backbone 340, a cellular RF front-end 342, and a cellular audio front-end 350. Thecellular backbone 340 may correspond to the cellular network 112 and/or thecellular transceiver 114, which may be operable to provide network connectivity in thecellular device 116 via cellular links. The cellular RF front-end 342 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may enable RF transmission and/or reception based on one or more cellular protocols. The cellular audio front-end 350 may correspond to suitable functionality and/or subsystems in thecellular device 116 that may enable capturing and/or playing back audio streams, during voice calls in thecellular device 116 for example. - In operation, the
cellular device 116 may be operable to support voice calls. In the uplink direction, the cellular audio front-end 350 may enable capturing audio streams, via a microphone subsystem for example. The cellular audio front-end 350 may also be operable to perform initial processing, comprising, for example, analog-to-digital conversions, to enable digital signal processing. The digitized audio signals may then be processed, by performing processing steps similar to the steps of the audio Tx processing 244, substantially as described with regard toFIG. 2A , for example. The processed audio data may then be sent via cellular Tx processing 346 to enable communication via cellular links. The cellular Tx processing 346 may comprise a plurality of processing operations that may be specific to the desired cellular interface, including, for example, voice encoding and/or modulation. Thecellular RF interface 342 may then be used to communicate the properly formatted messaging carrying the audio data to thecellular backbone 340. - In the downlink direction, the cellular RF front-
end 342 may enable receiving of messages from thecellular backbone 340 via cellular links, which may carry audio data. The received messages may be processed, via cellular Rx processing 344, to enable extracting audio data. The cellular Tx processing 344 may comprise a plurality of processing operations that may be specific to the cellular interface utilized to receive messaging from thecellular backbone 340, including, for example, demodulation and/or voice decoding. The extracted audio data may then be processed, by performing processing steps similar to the steps of the audio Rx processing 226, substantially as described with regard toFIG. 2A , for example. The cellular audio front-end 350 may then be utilized to playback corresponding audio streams by generating, for example, analog signals, utilizing digital-to-analog conversions, corresponding to the received audio data, which may be playable via a speaker subsystem. - In various exemplary aspects of the invention, the
cellular device 116 may be operable to participate in VoIP servicing operations. Thecellular device 116 may comprise VoIP access point (AP) interfacing 348, which may correspond to suitable functionality and/or subsystems in thecellular device 116 that may enable connecting to and/or interacting with theaccess point 102 and/or theaudio endpoint device 118 via one or more wireless links, substantially as described with regard toFIG. 1A . Exemplary wireless links that may be supported via the VoIP AP interfacing 348 may comprise Bluetooth and/or WiFi links. The VoIP AP interfacing 348 may also enable communication between thecellular device 116 and theaudio endpoint device 118. Thecellular device 116 may be utilized, for example, as an intermediary device that may enable routing of messages and/or data between theaccess point 102 and theaudio endpoint device 118. In this regard, the routed messages and/or data may be received and retransmitted via the VoIP AP interfacing 348, for example, with no or minimal processing with thecellular device 116. - The
cellular device 116 may also be utilized as an endpoint device that may be serviced by theaccess point 102. In this regard, audio data may be communicated between thecellular device 116 and theaccess point 102, via the VoIP AP interfacing 348. Audio Rx processing 226 and audio Tx processing 244 may enable performing necessary processing operations, substantially as described with regard toFIG. 2B , during audio data reception and transmission, respectively. The cellular audio front-end 350 may be operable to enable capturing and/or playing back corresponding audio streams. In some embodiments, thecellular device 116 may also be utilized to provide VoIP access point servicing. In this regard, some of the processing operations performed during VoIP communications may be performed within thecellular device 116. For example, the cellular Rx processing 344 and/or the cellular Tx processing 346 may be modified and/or configured to enable performing networking related processing operations comprising steps similar to the steps of the networking Tx processing 214 and/or networking Tx processing 260, for example, substantially as described with regard toFIG. 2A , and/or PCM based encoding and/or decoding. Audio data may be communicated between thecellular device 116 and theaudio endpoint device 118 via theVoIP AP processing 348, over wireless links for example. -
FIG. 4 is a flow chart that illustrates VoIP access convergence in a mobile device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 4 , there is shown aflow chart 400 comprising a plurality of exemplary steps, which may enable use of access point to service VoIP communications by endpoint devices. - In
step 402, VoIP servicing may be established via an access point. For example, VoIP servicing via theaccess point 102 may be established. The VoIP servicing may be preprogrammed into theaccess point 102, and/or may be requested and negotiated for by theaudio endpoint device 118. Accordingly, theaccess point 102 may operable to perform at least a subset of processing operations otherwise performed wholly by theaudio endpoint device 118. Instep 404, a determination of the direction of data routing via the access point during VoIP communication may be performed. During uplink data routing, the exemplary steps may proceed to step 406. Instep 406, audio data may be received in theaccess point 102 from theaudio endpoint device 118, via wireless links for example. Instep 408 networking and/or telephony operations may be performed on received audio data via theaccess point 102. These operations may comprise, for example, PCM encoding, encryption, packetization, and/or generation of transport and/or IP headers and/or parameters. Instep 410, IP packets carrying the VoIP data may be transmitted by theaccess point 102, via theIP backbone 270 for example. - Returning to step 404, during downlink routing of data, the exemplary steps may proceed to step 412. In
step 412, IP packets carrying the VoIP data may be received by theaccess point 102, from theIP backbone 270 for example. Instep 414, networking and/or telephony operations may be performed on received IP packets. These operations may comprise, for example, IP and/or transport headers and/or parameters parsing and/or processing, de-packetization, decryption, and/or PCM decoding. Instep 416, audio data extracted in theaccess point 102 from received IP packets may be transmitted to theaudio endpoint device 118, via wireless links for example. - Various embodiments of the invention may comprise a method and system for endpoint based architecture for VoIP access points. The
access point 102 may be operable to provide voice-over-IP (VoIP) service to theaudio endpoint device 118. At least some of the processing that may need to be performed via theaudio endpoint device 118 during VoIP communications may be performed by theaccess point 102. For example, theaccess point 102 may be operable, in the downlink direction, to extract VoIP audio data received via IP packets, and to communicate the extracted audio data as non-VoIP formatted data to theaudio endpoint device 118. Communications between theaccess point 102 and theaudio endpoint device 118 may be performed via one or more wireless interfaces, which may comprise Bluetooth, ZigBee, WLAN, and/or WiMAX interfaces. In the uplink direction, theaccess point 102 may be operable to receive non-VoIP formatted audio data from theaudio endpoint device 118, and may pack the received data into IP packets for VoIP communication. Theaccess point 102 may also be operable to perform PCM based encoding/decoding operations during VoIP servicing operations via theaccess point 102. Theaudio endpoint device 118 may perform audio processing during VoIP communications via theaccess point 102, comprisingaudio equalization 232 and/or 246,dynamic audio adjustments 230 and/or 252,AGC processing 228,AEC processing 248, and/ornoise reduction 250. Thecellular device 116 may be operable to route messages between theaccess point 102 and theaudio endpoint device 118, using Bluetooth and/or WLAN interfaces between thecellular device 116 and theaccess point 102, and between thecellular device 116 and the servicedaudio endpoint device 118. - Another embodiment of the invention may provide a machine, and/or computer readable storage, and/or medium, having stored thereon, a machine code, and/or a computer program having at least one code section executable by a machine, and/or a computer, thereby causing the machine, and/or computer to perform the steps as described herein for endpoint based architecture for VoIP access points.
- Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.
- The present invention may also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.
- While the present invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
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